Joey Leilua speaks out on Featherstone Rovers move for the first time

Joey Leilua’s move to the Featherstone Rovers was confirmed this afternoon, forcing a stunned gasp from almost everyone concerned in the rugby league fraternity.

Here was a former Dally M Centre of the Year joining the second tier of English rugby league after failing to find a new club in the NRL.

Of course, Leilua will be going into the ring to fight Josh Aloiai on 10 December before he moves to Featherstone, but the powerhouse Samoan international cannot wait to get started.

“I can’t wait to get there for 2022 and I can’t wait to see the new teammates and new town,” Leilua told Rovers TV.

“I’ve only been once before to England – I’ve only stayed in Warrington.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing the new coach Brian (McDermott) I’ve heard some good things about him.”

The 29-year-old told Rovers TV just how much he wants to prove people wrong.

“I want to go and prove myself over there in the UK to show the other side of the world I’m not the type of person that everyone thinks I am over here.

“I want to bring my aggression to the table – controlled aggression – and bring some excitement.

“I have a lot of tools in my game that confuse players – the offloads for example – and I wanted to test myself in that league.”